Re: The Ongoing Serie A, La Liga, All English Football, Champions League Thread

He's 32..His birthday just passed.

So, He'll be 36 turning 37 the next worldcup.

Really hard to say for a player of his skill, and sweden's lack there of. It would be more if Zlatan wants too. And he'll make some outlandish remark on why he is or isn't. And thats what I'm most looking forward too.

I really think its between Argentina, Germany, Spain, and Brazil this year. With Brazil being the favorites imo, and argentina second.

If Germany can avoid italy they'll be good.

Mexico and USA can also upset, and I have to imagine, England won't do so hot as they just don't have quality that they need to compete on the world stage anymore. To many bruisers, and not enough technical ability, may win you one or two matches against a top team, but not to consistently win.

Spain will be with Xabi and Xavi, that is the big key that was missing from the confederations cup, between those two they averaged more passes between each other than entire teams did in the course of a game.

Lionel will likely lead argentina, but they will have to ensure they are more on the attack then there opponents, which is where they will have some issues against teams like Spain, who are in no rush to attack.

Oh well, back to the domestic leagues this weekend as all worldcup qualifiers are now qualified i believe.

Re: The Ongoing Serie A, La Liga, All English Football, Champions League Thread

I couldn't name a full starting 11 for Argentina, Germany & Brazil at the moment. Shows how far behind I've fallen, used to know everything about international football back when World Cups were the best sporting events. And all these complaints we've had about England in years past. Now we really are bad with hardly any world class players in the starting 11. In 2006 we had at least 9 great players.

Re: The Ongoing Serie A, La Liga, All English Football, Champions League Thread

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Originally Posted by Hunter Rider

Ah but over that period Fergie was around and then Ancelotti and Mancini, big experience there as well. This seaosn Wenger and Mourinho are the only two with the experience factor of winning leagues (I know AVB won the Portuguese league but it's second tier). I agree that the experience in our team will be vital for us in maintaining a top 4 spot but I don't see it being enough to win the actual title with Moyes at the helm and such a weak central midfield.

That is true, but I still don't think that should really be any excuse. Wenger is a top coach and should be able to handle those kinds of multiple threats, rather than relying on flourishing against weaker and less competition. Yeah, you're probably right, but I do think United could push closer than just for the top 4.

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Well Ozil was rested tonight along with a lot of Germany's usual starters and they still were solid, like you say the depth of their talent pool is crazy!

Yeah, I agree. The power really is shifting to Deutschland.

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Getting him back for the glut of games over Christmas will be a huge boost.

Re: The Ongoing Serie A, La Liga, All English Football, Champions League Thread

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Originally Posted by Van Petrol

That is true, but I still don't think that should really be any excuse. Wenger is a top coach and should be able to handle those kinds of multiple threats, rather than relying on flourishing against weaker and less competition. Yeah, you're probably right, but I do think United could push closer than just for the top 4.

Wenger also had less money to build with though in fairness, this is the first summer he's extended himself in the market. Truth is we both tend to err on the side of extreme caution with out teams prospects lol, we'll see come the end of the season but just from an outside point of view I feel Ar4senal are the strongest they have been in nearly a decade as a unit.

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Agreed, I'm looking forward to him and Ozil linking up.

Podolski left, Ozil as the #10 and Cazorla right with Ramsey and Arteta in the CM roles when everyone is fit?

__________________"Now this life is etched in black but I wont be looking back, the rain washed out the tracks, I'll never find again"

Re: The Ongoing Serie A, La Liga, All English Football, Champions League Thread

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Originally Posted by Hunter Rider

Wenger also had less money to build with though in fairness, this is the first summer he's extended himself in the market. Truth is we both tend to err on the side of extreme caution with out teams prospects lol, we'll see come the end of the season but just from an outside point of view I feel Ar4senal are the strongest they have been in nearly a decade as a unit.

True, but I would have expected our sides, notably some of the stronger ones (i.e. in 2007-2008 and then 2010-2011) to have put up a better fight (mentality-wise), considering we were doing pretty well throughout, only to implode at the last knockings. The 'apparent' experience should have really come into play, and paid divends, especially in those instances, I feel.

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Podolski left, Ozil as the #10 and Cazorla right with Ramsey and Arteta in the CM roles when everyone is fit?

Unfortunately, it's likely to be Cathorla at left wing, Ozzy in #10 role and Wall-E at right wing. Arteta and Ramsey are likely to be the CM's, with Flaminina filling in, and/or rotating.

Re: The Ongoing Serie A, La Liga, All English Football, Champions League Thread

Flamini & Rosicky will hopefully get a fair number of games. Someone like Oxlade-Chamberlain might struggle to get in the team though now with quite a few guys ahead of him. Who have Arsenal got this weekend?

Re: The Ongoing Serie A, La Liga, All English Football, Champions League Thread

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grommers

He's 32..His birthday just passed.

So, He'll be 36 turning 37 the next worldcup.

Really hard to say for a player of his skill, and sweden's lack there of. It would be more if Zlatan wants too. And he'll make some outlandish remark on why he is or isn't. And thats what I'm most looking forward too.

Re: The Ongoing Serie A, La Liga, All English Football, Champions League Thread

He's so incredibly funny to laugh at, not with. I don't think he gets that.

My favorite line was after Beckham said he was donating his salary to charity, Zlatan comes out and says that he's also donating his salary to charity...the chairty of zlatan, and all of france should donate there salaries to zlatan as well.

Re: The Ongoing Serie A, La Liga, All English Football, Champions League Thread

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Originally Posted by Iceman

Flamini & Rosicky will hopefully get a fair number of games. Someone like Oxlade-Chamberlain might struggle to get in the team though now with quite a few guys ahead of him. Who have Arsenal got this weekend?

Agreed. We've got Southampton, so a rather tricky match-up to negotiate.

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Originally Posted by Grommers

He's so incredibly funny to laugh at, not with. I don't think he gets that.

My favorite line was after Beckham said he was donating his salary to charity, Zlatan comes out and says that he's also donating his salary to charity...the chairty of zlatan, and all of france should donate there salaries to zlatan as well.

Agreed. Another gem was when he was asked what he would be getting his girlfriend for Christmas. He replied, "Nothing...She already has Zlatan".

Re: The Ongoing Serie A, La Liga, All English Football, Champions League Thread

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Originally Posted by Grommers

He's so incredibly funny to laugh at, not with. I don't think he gets that.

My favorite line was after Beckham said he was donating his salary to charity, Zlatan comes out and says that he's also donating his salary to charity...the chairty of zlatan, and all of france should donate there salaries to zlatan as well.

I dunno, I think I'm laughing with him. Some of these statements are awesome!

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Originally Posted by Van Petrol

Agreed. We've got Southampton, so a rather tricky match-up to negotiate.

Agreed. Another gem was when he was asked what he would be getting his girlfriend for Christmas. He replied, "Nothing she already has Zlatan".

Re: The Ongoing Serie A, La Liga, All English Football, Champions League Thread

Quote:

Originally Posted by Van Petrol

True, but I would have expected our sides, notably some of the stronger ones (i.e. in 2007-2008 and then 2010-2011) to have put up a better fight (mentality-wise), considering we were doing pretty well throughout, only to implode at the last knockings. The 'apparent' experience should have really come into play, and paid divends, especially in those instances, I feel.

Do you think that was a case of lacking leaders on the pitch in those teams though? Now with the BFG, Arteta, Konscielny and Wilshire there seems to be some bigger personalities in their together to help lead the rest.

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Unfortunately, it's likely to be Cathorla at left wing, Ozzy in #10 role and Wall-E at right wing. Arteta and Ramsey are likely to be the CM's, with Flaminina filling in, and/or rotating.

Ah I forgot about your buddy Wally, I don't know though, I think he's better off the bench when the game gets stretched.

__________________"Now this life is etched in black but I wont be looking back, the rain washed out the tracks, I'll never find again"

Re: The Ongoing Serie A, La Liga, All English Football, Champions League Thread

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Originally Posted by Hunter Rider

Do you think that was a case of lacking leaders on the pitch in those teams though? Now with the BFG, Arteta, Konscielny and Wilshire there seems to be some bigger personalities in their together to help lead the rest.

Probably part of the reason, but considering the manager, and that most of those players had been around some of the invincibles and been through the heartache and trials and tribulations, they would have at least learnt from that and gotten stronger (mentality-wise). The manager needs to instill that in them. What I think is a factor now, is that although Wenger may have changed tact and gotten a bit more tougher and eager, having Steve Bould as his number 2 is giving off that 'winning and never give up' mentality that the players are picking up on. He challenges Wenger, which probably also make him up his game more. Pat Rice was always just a yes man, he didn't have the backbone to stand up and challenge Le Proff like Bouldy has.

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Ah I forgot about your buddy Wally, I don't know though, I think he's better off the bench when the game gets stretched.

He'll be back in a starting berth in no time, imo. I read that apparently Wenger feels we don't need another striker, as Walcott is now an option. I almost threw up. He plays best up top, when he has someone to play off of, who will draw players and create space for him (i.e. in a 4-4-2). Him as a lone striker is quite frankly laughable. The guy has pace that can roast almost any defender, yet he still gets caught in the offside trap quite often.

Re: The Ongoing Serie A, La Liga, All English Football, Champions League Thread

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Originally Posted by Iceman

Cool. What are your chances of going up?

We have a slight chance we've moved into the last play off spot after beating that fake club MK Dons today 3-2. We only got promoted last season from League 2 so it's all about consolidating our status in this division for a couple of seasons.

Re: The Ongoing Serie A, La Liga, All English Football, Champions League Thread

I was impressed with Barkley today, he was playing deeper than he has for most of the season and really helped drive Everton forward from midfield. Classic derby overall and Mignolet made some good saves in the second half, but I think Lukakau and Deulofeu should have done more with the clear cut opportunities.

__________________"Now this life is etched in black but I wont be looking back, the rain washed out the tracks, I'll never find again"